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Payphone Story – illustrated international encyclopaedia of payphones

Japanese Payphone- 1971 New Type “Red Phone”

Introduced in November 1971, this redesigned Japanese “red phone” was smaller and more practical than earlier public telephones, making it ideal for shops and restaurants. Improved reliability, easier maintenance, and a lowered handset cradle enhanced usability. Users could also access emergency and operator services including police, fire, directory assistance, and telegram connections.

Name	671A1N Desktop Telephone Common name: New Red Telephone
Date	1984
Manufacturer	Tamura Electric Works for Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation.

Development of the New Type “Red Phone” 671A1N Desktop Telephone

671A1N Desktop Telephone
In November 1971 (Showa 46), the new model was made smaller and lighter than the large red telephone (670), weighing 3 kg less, making it easier to handle in stores. The design was also completely revamped, with the receiver rest being 5 cm lower than the large red telephone. Functionally, it could accept up to six 10-yen coins at once. Common name: New Red Telephone. Year of manufacture: 1984. Manufacturer: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation.

Introduced in November 1971, this newly redesigned Japanese “red phone” represented a significant refinement of the earlier large public telephones that had become familiar throughout postwar Japan. Smaller, lighter, and more practical than its predecessor, the new model was specifically developed to suit installation inside shops, restaurants, kiosks and other semi-supervised indoor locations where space was limited. Its reduced size reflected the changing role of public telephony during Japan’s period of rapid economic growth, when convenient local access to telephones became increasingly important in everyday urban life.

One of the most noticeable design changes was the lowering of the receiver hook by approximately five centimetres. This seemingly minor adjustment greatly improved usability and allowed the phone to fit more comfortably onto counters and narrow shelving. The redesigned mechanism also improved maintenance and reliability. Coins inserted incorrectly, or foreign objects deliberately placed into the machine, could often be removed simply by pressing the hook button, reducing service interruptions and the need for technician visits.

Although primarily intended for ordinary local calls, the telephone also provided controlled access to important special service numbers. By informing the shop owner, users could place calls to emergency and operator-assisted services including police (110), fire and ambulance (119), directory assistance (104), telegram services (105), and long-distance operator assistance (100).